Guardian Ranks is your guide of what next to do in Destiny, whether you are just learning the ropes or a Veteran in search of your next challenge. Once you complete your objectives, return to the Tower, Rank Up, and Go Gold.
I had the opportunity to also do a bit of enviroment VFX, adding the falling leaves to the Ironwood Tree.
The Tree also gains lightning bugs floating around at night.
Early visual explorations into what the various parts of the Guardian Ranks experience could look like: Buff, Ceremony, and Interactable
Early explorations were underway well before anything was actually built out for the tree or podium. This early exploration for the ceremony was built out of an emote!
Once you have your objectives complete, a beacon will appear at the baseplate in front of the Ironwood Tree, signaling the ability for you to proceed to the next rank.
The beacon can be seen from far away, although only seen by the player currently ranking up.
Approaching the tree brings up an interaction, which will put you through a small ceremony visible to all players, ending with the Guardian Rising buff and a fireworks shower in the Tower to celebrate.
Guardian Rising bathes your Guardian in a unique, ever shifting gold effect, while also progressively getting brighter and gaining additional features at higher ranks. It also boosts your speed and jump height.
Guardian Rising Base Effect. This is visible when on ranks 1-3
Guardian Rising Stage 2 effect: Your Guardian gains a laurel crown and also gains an intensity boost to the overall effect while on ranks 4-6
Guardian Rising Stage 2 Effect: This is seen on all Guardians from Ranks 7-11, gaining a significant amount of intensity overall.
Close up of the Buff Shader.
The effect completely supports all armor, ever working well with wacky and weird pieces.
I had the absolute pleasure of creating the VFX for Guardian Ranks, a completely new progression and guide system that launched with Destiny 2: Lightfall. Guardian Ranks is your guide of what next to do in Destiny, whether you are just learning the ropes or a Veteran in search of your next challenge. Complete your objectives, Return to the Tower, Rank Up, and Go Gold.
I was responsible for creating and setting up the VFX, as well as working with Scott Klintworth to help setup the underlying tech design. Working with the Player Identity team to help put the sparkles on their feature was one of my favorite things I've shipped thus far.
Special Thanks:
Mark Flieg: Rewards VFX Lead
AJ Novak: Sound Design
Eric Eulcher: Test
Scott Klintworth: Tech Design
Nate Johnson and Steve Dolan: Design Leads
The Entire Player Identity Team: Being Awesome
And to everyone else at Bungie. Teams Are Stronger than Heroes.